ROBUST ALARM SYSTEM

• US 20150272514A1
• Filed: 03/30/2015
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Kiani, Massi Joseph E., Diab, Mohamed Kheir, Lamego, Marcelo M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,092,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/10 Monitoring of the annunciator circuits

Abstract

A robust alarm system has an alarm controller adapted to input an alarm trigger and to generate at least one alarm drive signal in response. Alarm subsystems input the alarm drive signal and activate one or more of multiple alarms accordingly. A subsystem function signal provides feedback to the alarm controller as to alarm subsystem integrity. A malfunction indicator is output from the alarm controller in response to a failure within the alarm subsystems.

Claims

1. A patient monitoring device comprising:

a driving circuit configured to drive one or more emitters;

a front end processing circuit configured to receive a signal from a detector responsive to light from said emitters attenuated by body tissue;

an alarm configured to provide an alert to a caregiver;

a processor responsive to said front end to process said signal to determine one or more measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of a patient being monitored, said processor also configured to trigger said alarm when one or more of said measurement values should receive caregiver review;

a malfunction indicator providing an alert that said alarm was nonresponsive when triggered by said processor.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said malfunction indicator comprises a buzzer.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said malfunction indicator comprises an audible alert.

4. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said alarm comprises a sound transducer.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said alarm comprises a robust alarm.

6. The monitoring device of claim 5, wherein said robust alarm comprises an electronic circuit capable of determining whether said alarm was nonresponsive.

7. The monitoring device of claim 6, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a driver circuit driving said robust alarm and a tester configured to determine integrity of a driver circuit.

8. The monitoring device of claim 5, wherein said robust alarm comprises a plurality of sound transducers.

9. A method of indicating to a caregiver that an alarm system has failed without duplicating said alarm system, the method comprising:

driving one or more emitters;

processing a signal from a detector responsive to light from said emitters attenuated by body tissue;

a processor responsive to said front end to process said signal to

determining one or more measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of a patient being monitored,

triggering an alarm system when one or more of said measurement values should receive caregiver review;

providing an alert that said alarm system was nonresponsive when triggered by said processor, said alert comprising an audible alert.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said audible alert comprises a buzzer.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said alarm comprises a sound transducer.